advise for buying case & PSU

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:33 pm

Hi

I'm building a PC. I will be getting a 450W PSU, AMD 64 3800 X2 CPU and ASUS A8N-VN /CSM mobo. I am trying to save money and find cheaper on eBay.

I'm only going to have a HD, DL Burner, and video card. I was told to buy an Antec case that comes with a 450W PSU for $122 CAD because it's quiet but what if I dont care about noise? Can I look for any generic case?

What about PSU ? Can I buy any quality name brand 450W ATX PSU?

Thanks

JB

Qui Gon-Jinn · Post by **Qui Gon-Jinn** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:38 pm

Antec for Cases.. simple as that..

as for PSU's.. I like Antec as well..

STAY AWAY FROM THERMALTAKE!!!

wpublic · Post by **wpublic** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:50 pm

congrats on winning the big one

antecs are very sturdy cases. for the hardware you are using, you don't want to skimp on the quality of the case/psu.

i would not get an off-brand PSU; i only use antec. other brands include enermax and thermaltake, though i have limited experience with those.

there is a reason for the price difference. also, larger and heavier cases tend to run cooler and are easier to work with. if you can afford the space, and if you are not gonna be moving it around a lot, you should get one.

a good rule of thumb for cases is the "twist test" ;if you grab the top of the case at opposite ends and put a twisting motion to it, a quality case will hold firm.

whatever you get, make sure you will be able to put in at least 1 case fan on the front and one on the rear.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:20 pm

Welcome to PCA.

I like Antec cases. They make good PSUs as well but lately I like the Enermax NoiseTaker line. Lotta bang for the bucks.

NoiseTaker 485 watt for a very reasonable price at NewEgg, which I highly recommend as good online mailorder house: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817103457

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:37 pm

wow...thanks guys.

The reason why I was put off by the Antec sales was because of the price of $122 CAD. I was told I couldn't get an Antec case without a PSU. Is this true?

I know you think Antec is the best but are you saying that there are no other case options for Dual Core in North America??????

Could I find a separate case and PSU separately on eBay and save money or is this futile? I mean nosie isn't important to me since there is already a noisy computer here.

There are many cases by Antec. Which is the cheapest model I could use with my AMD Dual Core?

OT: What do you think of the ASUS A8N-VN/CSM ?

Cheers

wpublic · Post by **wpublic** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:41 pm

there are antec cases you gan get case-only. check with your local retailer. they are readily available here in the US. you may have to get one online but with the shipping, it would probably be about the same price as one you pick up locally with PSU.

unless you trust your seller, get a new psu.

cases - i am partial to the antec SOHO series. without psu= 61.99 usd

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... &pfp=srch1

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:46 pm

They're not saying there are no other options for Dual Core, or ATX for that matter.. The Processor really has no bearing on the case.

Just the form factor of the motherboard. I too tend to stick with Antec or Cheiftec cases.. Silverstone is also another good brand

GL!

eGo

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:58 pm

Really? CPU not really a factor? Just mobo? ATX is part of mobo right? Can the Chieftec or Silverstone use rubber grommets?

So how does a PC builder know which case they should use for their mobo? Just by experience?

Or is it more simple to just stick with Antec, Chieftec or Silverstone cases no matter what mobo? I heard a slide out mobo tray is good too.

Oh, and should I stick to 450W PSU? Do I need to make sure the PSUs come with certain kit parts?

What about this case ? http://search.ncix.com/displayproductde ... ture=ANTEC Is it good?

Ta

Qui Gon-Jinn · Post by **Qui Gon-Jinn** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:05 pm

If you want a good case.. to showoff your sweet rig... and don't want a PSU with it.. you can order a Lanboy..

now if you want a good case.. for the same money.. with a PSU.. go with a Sonata.. both by antec..

as far as Cases that go with CPU.. really it doesn't matter.. you can put a CPU in any case.. as long as the mobo fits.. I have seen FX-60's in Shuttle box's.. and I have seen T-Bird 950's in Antec Full Towers.. the case has no bearing on the the CPU..

Now you said your going with an Asus A8N.. so thats standard ATX... look for a mid to full tower.. and you should be fine..

I have had the Soho series.. and they are nice.. roomy.. and well made.. but.. when your hauling a computer to a Lan every weekend.. they get heavy and bulky..

My 2 pc's are in Antec cases.. 1 a Sonata.. Sempron 3000 the other is the Lanboy w/ a Athlong 64 3700.. overall they are about the same size case.. lanboy is a bit wider.. and aluminum.. so it's lighter to.. but I never move the Sonata.. so it's a great case for that system..

Newegg.com great online retailer.. have never had an issue with them..

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:14 pm

http://search.ncix.com/displayproductde ... ture=ANTEC

This one is like $40 USD and local. I wonder if it needs rubber grommets or if I can sue them in it.

Unfortunately it has 120mm fans.. Could be noisy but I'm using a super noisy ol school computer already so it doesnt matter.

wpublic · Post by **wpublic** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:25 pm

actually the larger the fan, the quieter it is.

that's a good case. looks similar to the sonata. grommets you mean like mobo standoffs?

standoffs are metal, and you want metal to mount your board to.

antec includes a pretty decent size bag of assorted screws, all you will ever need. i remember with the sonata, there were rubber standoffs to mount the HDD to. it did cut down the noise a bit.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:30 pm

ATX is the motherboard design. There are only two mainstream designs - ATX and the newer BTX but BTX mobos aren't very common yet. I've only seen them used by Dell so far.

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:37 pm

Yes the rubber stand offs for the HDD. I called them grommets because some people are buying $20 cases and using hardware store rubber grommets to hold the HDD in. They sounded like cool efficient case mods actually considering being $20 cases lol

Apparently even though they may not be the 'sturdiest' of cases they are quiet and save money.

These guys used a Revel metal cutter and cut the full mesh on the back of the cheap cases to fit the better fans and things like that.

The final product looks just like a new store product. Can't see any of the mods.

WPUBLIC, people have said that some 120mm fans were actually noisier and that 80mm were the best because they didnt have to rotate as fast as 60's but were not as noisy as 120's. This isn't the case? No pun intended

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:06 pm

In general 120mm fans are quieter. Bigger fan = lower RPM.

Quietest fans are Nexus fans. They make an 80 and a 120 that are virtually silent. I have them installed on all my own rigs now (especially the media PCs) and all I can hear is the HDD.

Unlike most silent fans, these pull an incredible amount of air.

I use the 80mm on CPU heat sinks or case fans and the 120 for case fans (most Antec cases have a 120mm exhaust on the back)

This is where I buy Nexus fans:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556054078.html

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556054054.html

Here's a review:
http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=76

Jerome Bettis · Post by **Jerome Bettis** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:28 pm

what about drives? Which are quietest? In my experience I hardly have an issue with noise with any fans. Maybe I've been lucky. What makes noise on my machines are the drives. Especially as they get older. Improper cooling makes the drives wear out faster so they become noisier faster. Is that right?

What about these drives?

Seagate Barracuda V

Western Digital "Special Edition" JB Drive

IBM/Hitachi 180 GXP drive